Religion of Croatia: features, confessions, major holidays

Throughout its history, Croatia has repeatedly been under the authority of other states. Among its conquerors and rulers were Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims, so not everyone will be able to answer which religion in Croatia is considered the main one. Let's try to understand this further in the article.

Composition of the population and religion of Croatia

Croatia is a very small country, home to about 4.8 million people, 51% of them are female. More than 90% of the inhabitants are Croats. Although recently there has been a high influx of immigrants, mostly of Italian origin. This trend is connected with the popularization of Croatia in the world. Serbs are the largest national minority. Albanians, Bosnians, Gypsies, Italians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovenes and others also live in the country.

The main religion in Croatia is Catholicism. This faith is supported by more than 85% of the population. The next most common religion is Orthodoxy - 4-5%, which is associated with a large number of Serbs. Agnostics and atheists together make about the same amount as Orthodox believers. Relatively small percentage are Muslims and Protestants.

History

In the VII century Croats appear on the territory of the modern state (the Republic of Croatia). Most likely, then they were pagans, like many Slavs. The influence of the Benedictine and Byzantine missionaries played in favor of the Christian faith. In the period from VII to IX century, the Croatian population is peacefully and painlessly baptized. Already in the X century, Orthodox churches were built in which worship services were held in Croatian and Old Slavic languages.

In the XI century, during the Great Church split, the Croatian population experiences a strong onslaught from the Pope. Many are converted to Catholicism. Divine services in Croatian were banned, the service was sent in Latin. The further development and strengthening of Catholicism is influenced by the Franciscans, the Dominicans, and then by the Jesuits. In the Middle Ages, Catholicism is firmly established as the main religion of Croatia.

Power in the state often passed into different hands. For a long time, Croatia was under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which also supported the Catholic Church. During the existence of Yugoslavia, the issue of faith was exacerbated: the attempt to unite Orthodox Serbs, Croats-Catholics and Bosnian Muslims into one state led to religious and political conflicts. In this regard, many Orthodox Serbs left the country.

Croatia: religion in the modern state

After independence, the Constitution established freedom of religion and equality of all religions before the law. Catholicism as the main religion of Croatia is perceived as such only by a quantitative criterion.

Local schools are allowed to conduct lectures related to religion, but attendance is optional. Lessons on religion are coordinated mainly by the Catholic Church. Religious associations have powers. Marriage, fastened by the church (of any religion), is considered official and at the state level.

Despite the fact that before the law the Catholic Church does not differ from other confessions, it still has certain advantages. For example, it annually receives financial assistance from the state, which is enshrined in the treaty between the Vatican and the Republic of Croatia. The remaining religious associations also receive funding, although it is carried out at the expense of pension and health funds. In addition to the Catholic, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Muslim, Bulgarian, Croatian Old Catholic, Macedonian Orthodox, Adventist and other churches operate in the country.

Islam in Croatia

The Muslim faith came to this Balkan state together with the invaders - the Ottoman Turks. In the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire established control over part of modern Croatia. It was only in the 19th century that the territories managed to get rid of the Turkish rule, and during this time many Croats converted to Islam. Many medieval historians and travelers, for example Marco Pigaffet, noticed that the influence was not one-sided. In ancient records, you can read about the observation that in Istanbul at that time a very large number of Turks knew the Croatian language. Even in the courtroom, officials sometimes spoke on it.

Currently, Muslims in the country are approximately 1.5% of the total population. This religion is professed mainly by Turks, Albanians, Bosnians and Gypsies. It is interesting that when the Ottoman Empire existed, no mosque was built in Croatia. Now one of the largest mosques in the country is built in the capital of the state - Zagreb.

Religious holidays

For some religious holidays, the country has an official weekend. Since the most widespread religion of Croatia is Catholicism, the holidays common to Christians are held according to the Catholic church calendar. This applies to Easter and Christmas (the last is celebrated on December 25-26). Day off at the state level are also: Day of the Three Magi, Feast of the Body of Christ, Assumption of the Virgin and All Saints Day. Citizens who profess Islam are not allowed to work during the Ramadan Bayram and Kurban Bayram, the Orthodox during the Orthodox Christmas, and the Jews on the Yom Kippur festival.